I am very interested in using this browser, but I just don't really know where to start!
The things holding me back are for example the lack of an adblocker equivilent to something like ublock origin. As such I read this issue:
Despite reading the entirity of the issue, I am still a bit unclear on which extensions work. As the issue is still open I assume extensions do work but there just hasn't been one made similar to ublock origin for example? Also where can I find these extensions? (I have seen the extensions page document about the ones written in common lisp)
Also looking through the documentation, I noticed there is a "blocker-mode" which can block ads via a hosts file. That is about all I can find (I may not have looked hard enough) where would I aquire additional filter lists? For example, is it as easy as just git cloning easylist?
I have mentioned ublock origin being a factor for me, I am not opposed to foregoing this but I have been under the impression host based blocking is "inferior" (?) - could someone help me understand if that is or isn't the case?
I also found this site criticizing in general minimal browsers How to choose a browser for everyday use? which may unduly have influenced by concerns about trying one. For instance with a host based ad blocking solution could I have images enabled without worrying about so-called tracking-pixels? Or would images need to be disabled entirelyas suggested in the link?
Again trying to figure out a solution I found this post:
Are the settings linked to an example of a fully locked down configuration file? Personally as someone that knows nothing about common lisp, and maybe this already exists? But modifying something that does exist would be a great starting point (no doubt I will find it aftet posting lol, so the following may not apply...) I think it would be useful to have a super lockeddown and annotated config file available similar to arken.js. Personally I'd rather disable most things and enable as needed - obviously this would have to be an option and not the default.
Basically all I've used is firefox/librewolf with ublock origin - I have assumed its safe and reasonably good regarding privacy. But if Nyxt can provide a similar or better experience I'd love to know how it's better and where to get started, as I'd like an alternative to use!
Sorry for the essay. I can see the passion for this project by the devs and community so look forward to hearing back soon.
@bob support for WebExtensions is still experimental but we’re actively working on it. When that lands, you’ll be able to run extensions such as uBlock.
But these are quite isolated, so here’s a bit more context on that:
Nyxt provideds a reduce-tracking-mode, which currently removes tracking parameters, mimicks another browsers’ user agents, and adjusts the timezone/language to be the most neutral.
There’s make-buffer-with-context which allows to create independent contexts (same as Firefox’ Containers) for different uses.
There’s blocker-mode you’ve mentioned, and it’s host-only, so easylist won’t work—it uses a more involved AdBlock list syntax. So yeah, blocking needs some improvement.
There are no-image-mode, no-webgl-mode, and no-script-mode to toggle the respective features. The only solid way to fight tracking pixels that we have in Nyxt.
There’s a reduce-bandwidth-mode that unifies all of these. Even though it mainly exists to save bandwidth, it might be useful for privacy.
We rely on WebKit for most of renderer-level security/privacy things.
You can look at my config, where I’ve tried to annotate as much as possible, and included some of the privacy features of Nyxt (reduce-tracking-mode, and a useful shortcut for make-buffer-with-context at least). But yeah, no comprehensive privacy build that I heard of.
I’m still new to nyxt, but I’d like to also mention that you can block ads & trackers on the dns level, which is a more secure method than just a web extension & applied network wide.
I believe most VPN providers provide something like that if you don’t like setting it up by yourself